and then i took her to the houston rodeo because i wanted her to see that texas culture. i am not sure the senator who grew up grew up in the inner city of baltimore knew exactly how people would dress at the rodeo but suffice it to say there were a lot of rhinestones and cowboy boots and big hair and big cats. senator mikulski whispered to me during this time, kay, if we were here monday and went to the chamber of commerce, these people look like this? and i said yes. pretty much. so we also teamed up to pass the homemaker i are a to make sure that our stay at home moms and dads would have the same opportunity for retirement, security savings, that those who work outside the home have. it has been a huge success. we also co-sponsor the national breast and cervical cancer early detection program. she is a skilled legislator and a dear friend. senator jay rockefeller has been an outstanding chairman of the commerce committee. we don't always agree but as the lead democrat and republican we have worked hard to reach consensus and we have gotten things done. the f a a bill s